Demonstrations Erupt Across Indonesia as Lawmakers Postpone Adjustment to Electoral Regulations
The session to approve the changes was postponed due to insufficient attendees, as reported by legislator Habiburokhman to journalists outside the parliament building.
It's uncertain if parliament will reassemble to approve the law before the registration period for regional elections commences on the following Tuesday.
The parliament aimed to ratify adjustments that would undo a judgment passed by the constitutional court earlier in the week. These amendments would have hindered a prominent government critic from participating in the race for the critical position of Jakarta governor, as well as pave the way for Widodo's youngest son to contest elections in Java this November.
The power struggle between the parliament and the judiciary took place amid a week of intense political transitions in the world's third-largest democracy, and during the last stretch of Widodo's second term.
Widodo downplayed the concerns, stating on Wednesday that the court ruling and parliamentary debates were a part of regular "checks and balances."
The interior minister explained the adjustments were intended to establish legal clarity.
Numerous protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Jakarta, some violating parts of the fence, but few daring to cross it. Others displayed banners accusing Jokowi of eroding democracy, and waved vibrant banners and props, including a mock guillotine displaying the president's face.
Indonesian presidential spokesperson Hasan Nasbi urged calm, and encouraged protestors to avoid violence, as some footage showed demonstrators also hurling rocks at the parliament in Bandung.
Protests were staged in various cities across the nation, with tear gas deployed against demonstrators in Semarang, according to TV footage.
"This is the pinnacle of my disgust," said Afif Sidik, a 29-year-old teacher participating in the protest outside the parliament.
"This is a republic. It's a democracy, but if its leadership is influenced by a single individual or an elitist few, we cannot accept that."
Legal experts and political commentators have labelled the power struggle as on the brink of a constitutional crisis.
Elections analyst Titi Anggraini described the strategy as "constitutional defiance."
The street protests followed a wave of disapproval online, with blue posters featuring the words "Emergency Warning" above Indonesia's national eagle becoming prevalent on social media.
The rupiah and Jakarta's main stock index dipped midday Thursday, impacted by concerns of protests and the country's expanding current account deficit.
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday abolished the minimum nomination requirement for candidates in regional elections and retained the minimum age limit of 30 years for candidates.
This decision effectively thwarted the candidacy of the president's 29-year-old son for the deputy governor position in Central Java, and permitted Anies Baswedan, the current front-runner, to run in Jakarta.
However, less than 24 hours later, the parliament submitted an emergency amendment to nullify these changes.
All parties apart from one supported the amendment.
"Indonesian democracy is once again at a decisive juncture," Anies posted on social media platform X, urging legislators to keep in mind that the fate of democracy rested in their hands.
The parliament is controlled by a broad coalition supporting the outgoing president, widely known as Jokowi, and the incoming president-elect, Prabowo Subianto.
Prabowo, who secured a landslide victory in February's elections, will be sworn in on October 20, with Jokowi's eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as his vice president.
Widodo is facing growing criticism for the increasingly assertive tactics adopted by his administration to amass power, and his nascent political dynasty.
"The court's decision is final and incontestable," said Bivitri Susanti, from the Jentera School of Law.
"The legislative body cannot bypass the judiciary's ruling. This is a power struggle."
The power struggle between the parliament and the judiciary is not limited to Indonesia, as such confrontations have occurred in various parts of the world.
Despite the ongoing political tensions, regional elections in Asia are scheduled to commence soon, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
